1935
When the controversy over the Pentagon Papers erupted early this summer, two '35ers found their lives very directly involved. Fritz Beebe's Washington Post (He's Board Chairman and Board Chairman of Newsweek, too!) became a prime target of the government's lawsuit to halt publication. Walt Petke learned that the man who leaked the secret papers to the press was the same Daniel Ellsberg who was a school boy under his tutelage at Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., right after World War II.
Walt's good wife, Mary, has forwarded clippings from their home town paper, The Bristol (Conn.) Press; recalling their impressions of Ellsberg when they acted as houseparents in his dormitory. Ellsberg was a brilliant youngster and graduated first in his class. But, during the summer between his junior and senior year, his mother and sister were killed in an auto accident in which he himself was seriously injured. This had a profound impact upon his life.
"He couldn't be frivolous," Walt is quoted as saying. "He was much too reticent and hard to draw out. Our children helped. They softened his grief, and it helped to be part of a family again. Everybody knew he had the smarts, and the other kids in his class had a great deal of respect for him. He was a real good kid to have around."
In her letter, Mary reports the following on the Petkes themselves. "Joey, our youngest, is a freshman at the University of Connecticut. So Walt will be starting a new school year (German teacher at Bristol's Eastern High School) for the first time without one of his own kids in school." Joey, incidentally, is quite a baseball pitcher and had a spotless record for his American Legion team which finished runner-up in the state championship. Their oldest son, Jon, a marine helicopter pilot, is now in Okinawa.
Dick Halvorsen writes that he is well into his new book. "Have covered the NATO countries, interviewed the man who toppled the Bismarck and the lads who sank the Tirpitz, etc. Have gone senile and joined a flying club." All of which sounds as though the life of Dick Halvorsen would be a best-seller, if he would just take time to write it.
Our retirement ranks continue to grow. Phil Hemphill took early retirement from Seamless Rubber Co., early this year and is now "catching up on twenty years of neglected jobs around the house." SidDiamond has taken a "leave of absence" from his New York law firm to dabble in photography, writing, etc., in Tucson, Arizona and from the sounds of things isn't about to return to pollution city. RegBankart, whose retirement from the ad business was announced last spring, reports "It's great, even if I do say so!"
The summer brought its measure of sadness, with news from the College that two classmates have passed away. CharlieTosi, who was vice president of a New York wholesale food distributor, died May 6th after a long illness. Gordon Gwinn, a professor at the University of Arizona, was killed in an automobile accident April 18th in Tucson. In behalf of the class, the college extends our sympathy to both families.
Now that all the records are in, ChuckDinneen's son. Bill, has written quite a chapter in Dartmouth athletic history. Cocaptain of this year's track team, Bill was undefeated in dual competition in the hammer throw and won the IC4A title. Thus, he becomes only the third Dart- mouth man to win an IC4A title in 25 years. He holds the Dartmouth record in the weight throw and ranks second in the hammer.
John Thomas writes "our second grandchild arrived May 19, a boy Aaron Thomas Warner. Daughter Judy is fine and grandma had to fly right up to Terre Haute the same day to inspect the newcomer and look after Christa, age 20 months." John complains that there seem to be no 35'ers in the Houston area, and hopes any classmates heading in his direction will give him a call.
A belated note from Ed Mitchell in Paris reports that he and Bill Hands held their own reunion while the rest of the clan was gathered in Hanover. Judging from the cryptic notes they scrawled in a Paris night club, they joined into the spirits (plural) of the occasion. Such comments about coeducation as "What do we do about "Men of Dartmouth'? Is it youth of Dartmouth? And what about the granite?"
Wiley Hubbell writes that he is still manager of finance for General Electric's Drive systems division in Salem, Virginia. "Daughter Cynthia is married to a free- lance photographer and touring the country. Oldest son Stewart graduated with a masters degree from V.P.I., and now with an engineering firm in Roanoke. Younger son Chris will attend Randolph-Macon this fall."
Jon Harvey who lost his wife Adele four years ago, says he keeps busy "keeping my six sons well and happy. Three are married (no grandchildren), one in special school and two in high school. May have a Dartmouth candidate in No. 6!"
BRIEFS: Joe Fellows' boy Joseph III won election as high school guidance counsellor over 68 competitors at Holliston, Mass. Marianne Dodd, Al's wife, has her real estate license and looking for Dartmouth clients on Philadelphia's Main Line. Bob Smith back from Thailand. ArtSommers' daughter, Marcia, graduated from Elmira College and is doing public relations work.
Well, that's it. The mail bag is downright empty. So please pick up a pen (or even a pencil) and write!
SecretaryRICHARD K. MONTGOMERY 840 Westcliff, Deerfield, 111. 60015
Treasurer, c. HALL COLTON Apt. 323, 9820 Crawford Ave. Oak Lawn, 111. 60453
